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Polish Minister of National Defence confirmed strength of allied relationships during visit to Estonia

16. March 2017 - 12:53

The Minister of National Defence for Poland, Antoni Macierewicz, met with Minister of Defence Margus Tsahkna; Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu, Hannes Hanso; Commander of the Defence Forces, General Riho Terras; and Commander of the Defence League, Brigadier General Meelis Kiili, during his visit to Estonia.

According to Minister of Defence Tsahkna, defence cooperation between Estonia and Poland is very practical and meaningful. “We are located within the same security space, and the basis for our cooperation is a common understanding and sense of what threatens our region,” said Minister of Defence Tshakna.

According to Tsahkna, one of the most important aspects of further cooperation between the two countries is developing independent defence capability. “We both have a very clear understanding that the countries of Europe must contribute to their own defence capability, we cannot rely exclusively on our allied relationships. Actual defence capability is comprised of independent defence capability and good allied relationships,” said Tsahkna.

The Ministers of Defence also discussed the implementation of decisions taken at the NATO Warsaw Summit, at a time when forces from the United States are already present in Poland within the framework of an increased presence by NATO, and Estonia is preparing in the coming weeks to receive a combat group under the command of the United Kingdom. Both ministers also confirmed their continued support for the goal of seeing NATO and EU Member States contribute at least 2% of GDP to national defence, which Poland and Estonia are already doing.

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